3rd Biggest Sporting Event?

I'm having an argument with a mate, he claims that the Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world.
However I thought it couldn't come close to Wimbledon, British Open, and tour de france, and IAAF Athletic meet

I think Wimbledon is the big one in tennis. I dont think rugby is widespread enough to rate as the third biggest sporting event in the world. there are a few dominant countries and the rest make up the numbers.

Sreesanth said, "Next ball he was beaten and I said, 'is this the King Charles Lara? Who is this impostor, moving around nervously? I should have kept my mouth shut for the next ball - mind you, it was a length ball - Lara just pulled it over the church beyond the boundary! He is a true legend."

The line up at the start and the finish primarily. Several of the races take place on difficult courses which are almost impossible places at to spectate. Would you line up at the side of a mountain road to get a glimpse of a sweaty Lance Armstrong?

Originally posted by Mr Mxyzptlk The line up at the start and the finish primarily. Several of the races take place on difficult courses which are almost impossible places at to spectate. Would you line up at the side of a mountain road to get a glimpse of a sweaty Lance Armstrong?

The sport itself isn't spectated.

Answering the question - no, but many, many people do.

There are huge masses who watch at the crunch points - the climbs, the sprints etc, but in the middle where for the most part its just the peleton going along there's not much viewing unless it goes through settlement in which case most of the town comes out to watch.

in a stage last week, (stage 8 i think) on the 13km stretch to the finish half a million people lined the roads. now that sounds like a spectator sport to me. In fact id be surprised if theres any sport in the world that can boast a crowd figure like that on 1 day.

Marc, the monaco grand prix is something special, but it isnt what it used to be. it still has the glamour etc... abbout it, but the racing there isnt exciting enough. remember we are talking about the spectacle, id much rather watch the Silverstone grand prix from last weekend over this years Monaco grand prix.